Jay Bruce: No one’s feeling sorry for Cincinnati Reds

FRIDAY’S GAME

Mariners at Reds, 7:10 p.m., FS Ohio, 700, 1410

Jay Bruce picked a bad time to make history. The Cincinnati Reds right fielder hit two home runs Wednesday to break a tie with Adam Dunn and become the all-time leader in home runs at Great American Ball Park.

The Reds still found a way to lose 8-7 in 12 innings to the Cleveland Indians, meaning Bruce was in no mood to break out the champagne and toast his accomplishment. He has hit 128 of his 216 career home runs in Cincinnati.

“It’s kind of a cherry-picking type deal,” Bruce said. “I think it means more that I’ve been on one team long enough to have the record. The more time, the better.”

Three of the top four home run hitters in the history of the 13-year-old stadium started Thursday in the series finale against the Indians. Second baseman Brandon Phillips ranks third with 113 home runs in 11 seasons. First baseman Joey Votto has 108 in 10 seasons.

Bruce and Phillips become unrestricted free agents in 2018. Votto is signed through 2024.

“The record’s probably not going to stand for very long,” Bruce said. “Joey (Votto’s) got nine years left here. I’m guessing he’s going to hold it before too long.”

Dunn hit 462 home runs in a 14-year career. He played for the Reds from 2001-2008. He hit 26 home runs at home in 2005, a GABP record, and also owns the second- and third-highest single season totals at the stadium: 25 in 2004 and 22 in 2006.

Bruce hit 21 home runs at home in 2004. He has hit seven of his eight home runs this season at home, and while he’s on pace to hit 30 home runs for the first time since 2013, the stats will ring hollow if the Reds keep losing. Their 15-25 record through 40 games was their worst since they were 14-26 in 2006.

“I think the whole clubhouse has an expectation of themselves to come to work every day and do their job and prepare,” Bruce said. “It is tough losing. It’s tough to have leads and lose them. It’s also tough when we don’t score and don’t hit very well. The only option is for us to continue to go forward. No one’s going to feel sorry for us. We can’t feel sorry for ourselves. We just have to do better on both sides of the ball.”